It's Meatless Monday!
Going meat-free once a week can help save tons of water and fossil fuels, and it might also reduce the risk of certain health conditions like obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and even cancer.
Of course, there's no denying that you know what's best for your body and your diet, so if you can't or don't want to cut out meat entirely, you're more than welcome to observe Sustainable Mondays (with locally sourced meat and veggies) or Less-Meat Mondays.
Either way, if you're looking for an affordable meatless main or side that's packed with enough protein to actually fill you up, consider the delightfully underrated chickpea aka garbanzo bean. This versatile, savory legume is cheap, easy to get your hands on and simple to cook with.
Here are some of the best things you can do to chickpeas:
1. Soy-Free Vegan Benedict
From the creamy cashew hollandaise sauce to the spiced chickpea patties, this filling dish is absolutely magical, especially when it sits atop a toasted English muffin, a thick tomato slice and some completely spellbinding shiitake bacon (or pork/turkey/soy if you'd rather). Serve with some veggies on the side and you have a perfectly rounded meal.
2. One Bite Falafel Kebabs
These are super fresh, healthy and adorable. Perfect party bites. If you want your patties to be a little crispier, you can fry them on medium high in an oil-coated pan.
3. Baked Broccoli Burgers
This might sound weird, but broccoli, chickpeas, couscous and onions combine to make a really delicious and hearty vegan veggie patty with a perfectly textured bite and tons of nutrition. Top with tahini dressing and you'll be head over heels in love with this meatless burger. Serve with:
4. Chickpea Fries with Yogurt Dipping Sauce
All right, this might not be the most rounded meal, but these crispy on the outside, soft on the inside protein-packed fries are absolutely irresistible dipped in the yogurt mint sauce, and they'll go great with the veggie burger.
5. Stuffed Falafel Balls
If for some strange reason you find falafel to be boring, go stuff them with tons of cheese and roasted peppers and then come back and we'll talk.
6. Spicy Chickpea and Sour Tomato Curry with Noodles
Do try and find tamarind, but if you can't, you can substitute equal parts lime juice and brown sugar. On that note, if the tamarind is a little too sour for you, add a pinch of sugar to balance out the taste.
7. Falafel Wraps with Grilled Veggies and Salsa
Look, you don't need to eat your falafel patties in pita pockets every darn time. Get a little variety in your life and taco-fy this lovely food.